ArkNet Media—While many young professionals are seeking jobs in today's tight market, Ryan Alovis, founder and chief executive of ArkNet Media, is creating jobs and opportunities. In 2005, having recently graduated from Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Alovis launched ArkNet Media, a leading interactive agency that builds, owns and operates Web sites.

With a core focus on e-commerce and attention to detail, Valley Stream-based ArkNet Media has become the preeminent destination for the ultimate online experience. He launched MagazineDiscountCenter.com in partnership with Time, Inc. with just one employee, and today, MagazineDiscountCenter.com is one of the fastest growing online consumer magazine subscription services with seven employees and yearly revenue of more than $2 million. Alovis also established BirthdayPartyBooker.com, an online party planning concierge service helping people plan events and celebrations in New York City, which has been featured in CitySearch, Star magazine, EXTRA! and Thrillist. Knowing that the Internet is a preferred channel of growth for most businesses, he was also instrumental in ArkNet Media's majority ownership acquisition in LensDirect.com, a leading contact lens provider.

Alovis mentors his employees in all aspects of the business. His management style and mentoring philosophy are rooted in the belief that each employee is a member of the family and each member must play his or her part to ensure success. In 2006, he established the Silver Lining Society as a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children with cancer whose families have neither the resources nor the support to obtain potentially life-saving treatment. Through various events, SLS raises money for the Hope and Heroes Children's Cancer Fund at Columbia University Medical Center. Under his leadership as chairman, SLS has raised $250,000 and is one of the fastest-growing fundraising organizations on the East Coast.